Appeals court hands down decisions Friday

The Maryland Court of Appeals won't reconsider a ruling that effectively barred police from collecting DNA samples from people arrested on charges of committing a violent crime or attempting to commit one, while it said it would recognize same-sex divorces.

The DNA ruling means Attorney General Douglas Gansler can appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Maryland's highest court will file its order Friday denying Gansler's May 1 motion for reconsideration.

The case involves Alonzo King Jr., who was found guilty of a 2003 rape in Salisbury. King's DNA was taken after he had been arrested in 2009 on assault charges.

Opponents argue that taking a sample before someone is convicted violates the constitutional protection from unreasonable search and seizure. Supporters say the samples contribute to a database that helps law enforcement.

State officials suspended such collections following the April 24 ruling.

The divorce ruling said Maryland courts should withhold recognition of a valid foreign marriage only if that marriage is "repugnant" to state public policy. The court said the threshold is a high bar that has not been met in the case that it ruled on.

The case involved two women who were married in California and denied a divorce in 2010 by a Maryland judge who said their marriage was not valid in the state.

Maryland does not currently allow same-sex weddings, but lawyers for the women told the seven-member Court of Appeals that it would be unprecedented for the state not to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley released the following statement in response, saying, "Today's unanimous decision by the Maryland Court of Appeals confirms that the policy of recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages that we have implemented in the Executive Branch is valid and consistent with the law. To treat families differently under the law because they happen to be led by gay or lesbian couples is not right or just. Today's decision is another step forward in our efforts to ensure that every child is protected equally under the law. As a free and diverse people, the way forward is always to be found through greater respect for the equal rights of all; for the human dignity of all."

Maryland Marriage Alliance executive director Derek McCoy released the following statement in response, saying, "Today's decision by the Maryland Court of Appeals does not at all affect the commitment that Maryland voters have to protecting the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman. We have collected more than two thirds of the signatures necessary and we are confident that we will surpass our target. This is merely an example of how the courts and the legislature continue to be out of step with the clear will of the people."